Department of Emergency Management

This document contains general guidance for actions which need to be considered when a Tsunami Watch is issued. It is not intended as a definitive response document but may be used as the basis for the development of detailed business plans.

 Receive alerting information from radio or television stations.

 Begin a log of activity.

 Determine if facility/activity is within or outside of an evacuation zone.

 See Tsunami Evacuation Maps.

 Determine time remaining to estimated first wave arrival.

 Notify individual-in-charge.

 Provide alerting information to employees, guests, clients, vendors, passengers.

  See suggested announcements for Tsunami Watches or for Tsunami Warnings.

 Establish an Information/Management Center, if possible.

 Conduct discussions with key personnel.

 Review plans/checklists.

 Reaffirm individual/organizational responsibilities.

 Consider decisions to be made if a warning is issued.

 If the first wave will arrive in 6 hours or less and your business is:

 Outside of an evacuation zone.

 If closed, remain closed and so advise employees.

 If open, remain open and retain employees, guests, clients, vendors, and/or passengers.

 Terminate all non-emergency transport/travel.

 Attempt to stagger the release of those who must leave.

 Within an evacuation zone.

 If closed, remain closed and so advise employees.

 If open, immediately begin phasing down and terminate normal operations.

 Implement preplanned vertical/horizontal evacuation options.

 See guidance in General Information or the Tsunami Warning Checklist.

 For wave arrivals exceeding 6 hours.

 If closed, remain closed and so advise employees.

 If open, establish a positive pace of pre-evacuation preparation.

 Minimize movement of employees, guests, clients, passengers.

 Time permitting, consider early closure, staggering employee release.

 Safety.

Determine responsible agent to:

 Care for employees, guests, clients, vendors, passengers.

 Elderly/disabled considerations.

 Special appliances, wheelchairs, medications required.

 Determine impact of any on-going construction.

 If evacuation is required:

 Relocate/store/tie down equipment/loose items.

 Handle/safeguard hazardous materials on premises.

 Locate gas/electric shutoff.

 Security

 Determine responsible agent for:

 Guiding/directing evacuation, if required.

 Surveying evacuated areas, if possible.

 Maintaining order in non-evacuated facilities.

 Accounting for employees, guests, clients, vendors, passengers.

 Emergency Supplies/Equipment

 Determine responsible agent for:

 Backup generator(s)

 Flashlights

 Tie down ropes

 Portable Radios

 First aid kits

 Extra Batteries

 Food

 Blankets/Air mattresses

 Water

 Personnel

 Determine responsible agent for:

 Number/identification of minimum essential personnel to maintain operations.

 Impact of Employee departures and inability to travel to work.

 Transportation

 Determine responsible agent for:

 Impact of delayed departures, arrivals, and deliveries.

 Vehicle needs and availability

 Fill gas tanks

 Relocate outside evacuation zone

 Boat/Ship Status

 Service and move to sea (minimum of one mile out) prior to wave arrival time, or relocate to a safe inland location

 Aircraft

 Relocate outside of evacuation zone.

 Protect auxiliary servicing/technical equipment

 Identify holding areas/facilities for arriving passengers/baggage.

 Protection of Vital Records (Manual/Computer)

 Determine responsible agent for disposition of cash receipts, computer disks, personnel files, etc.

 Communications

 Determine:

 Radio/telephone status

 Need for messengers during outages

 How to minimize outgoing telephone calls

 Response to media inquiries/client complaints

 How to keep guests and employees informed of situation.

Management and Staff - review Warning Checklist.

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